In the Steps of Lewis and Clark

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Thursday, 22 June 2017 - Woke early with views of the wide Columbia as we approached Astoria at the river's mouth, docked and toured Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark wintered, climbed the Astoria Column for panoramic views of the river and Pacific, wandered the historic streets of Astoria with its old buildings and riverfront scene, watched the sun set over the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and enjoyed dinner with river views before settling in at the end of the cruise.

columbisriver2017 — Up early and rewarded with a view into the Lewis And Clark National Wildlife Refuge near the mouth of the Columbia River into the Pacific Ocean.

columbisriver2017 — A passing paddle-wheel ship headed up-river

columbisriver2017 — Skamokawa or fog on the waters of the Columbia River at sun rise.

columbisriver2017 — Birds perched on a channel marker

columbisriver2017 — An albatross - which makes more sense now that we are almost to the ocean

columbisriver2017 — A cormorant carrying a twig for making a nest somewhere

columbisriver2017 — Another cormorant skimming over the Columbia River.

columbisriver2017 — There were several huge ships parked outside Astoria as the river expanded from several hundred yards to several miles from shore to shore.

columbisriver2017 — The city of Astoria was named after John Jacob Astor, an investor from New York City whose American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811. The first permanent United States settlement on the Pacific coast.

columbisriver2017 — After docking in Astoria we boarded a bus to Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark spent the winter once reaching the Pacific Ocean.

columbisriver2017 — The river behind Fort Clatsop which has been named Lewis and Clark River. The posts in the river are left over from the time logging used the river to move wood. The posts allowed for the collection and sorting of logs.

columbisriver2017 — Interesting trees

columbisriver2017 — Fort Clatsop was pretty small. This is the second reconstruction of the original stockade. However, the Park Service is pretty sure this is the site of the fort based on written records.

columbisriver2017 — A celebration of the trip by the family - everyone decked out in our adventure shirts. Mom (Liz) purchased the trip for all as a Christmas present for the family.

Virginia Ann, Cal, Bill, Liz, Mary and Jay in Fort Clatsop.

columbisriver2017 — The next stop was a trip to the Astoria Column

The Astoria Column is 125 feet high and was built 91 years ago in 1926, the concrete and steel structure is part of a 30-acre park. It stands atop 600 foot tall Coxcomb Hill which towers over Astoria. city park.

columbisriver2017 — The spiral sgraffito frieze on the exterior of the Astoria Column is almost seven feet wide, and 525 feet long. The mural shows 14 significant events in the early history of Oregon with a focus on Astoria's role including the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

columbisriver2017 — Mount Rainier peeking over the hills from the Astoria Column

columbisriver2017 — Mount St. Helens peeking over the hills from the Astoria Column. Note how flat the top is after the eruption several years ago.

columbisriver2017 — Mary and Jay at the top of the Astoria Column

columbisriver2017 — Cal on top of the Astoria Column - 164 steps high.

columbisriver2017 — Astoria and the Astoria - Megler Bridge which is four miles long.

columbisriver2017 — Cape Disappointment on the northern side of the Columbia River bar - where the river empties into the Pacific Ocean

columbisriver2017 — After the Astoria Column we returned to the ship and were able to spend the afternoon roaming around Astoria

The JC Penny store was having a going-out-of-business sale - really too bad as they had a beautiful mosaic in the sidewalk.

columbisriver2017 — Interesting old buildings in this ancient town.

columbisriver2017 — The Liberty Theater

columbisriver2017 — A cormorant sunning its wings to dry off

columbisriver2017 — Many, many, old pilings for buildings housing canneries all along the river's edge. We ended up in a restaurant and beer maker sitting over the river with great views of the water.

columbisriver2017 — An albatross sunning on a piling

columbisriver2017 — One of the last big buildings on pilings over the river - not sure what if anything is going on in this building. The lighting was nice as the sun sets.

columbisriver2017 — Twinkle Island - fun name for such a large ship

columbisriver2017 — Sun setting over the Astoria - Megler Bridge.

columbisriver2017 — End of the day in the Columbia River bar.

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